Drew Brees is one of the best quarterbacks to ever lace up cleats. Jimmy Graham is a man-child. Marques Colston is Mr. Steady. Darren Sproles is just so darn fast. Kenny Vaccaro hits people hard. Cameron Jordan is eyeing his first Pro Bowl. Week after week, those are the guys who get the headlines. And rightfully so.

But I think, outside of Drew Brees, Thomas is the most valuable player on the Saints roster. Some will argue that Graham or Colston are more valuable and that’s fine. Valid arguments can be made for a lot of guys, which is a testament to the wealth of talent the Saints have on the offensive side of the ball.

Thomas, though, is different. He wasn’t drafted and had a lot to prove. And he still acts like he has a lot to prove years after his 2007 debut. Thomas’ biggest year as a Saint came in 2009, the Super Bowl season. He ran for a career-high 793 yards and had 302 receiving yards. Thomas’ second-biggest year is shaping up to be 2013. With five games to play, Thomas has 413 yards on the ground and 349 through the air. During a 130 yard rushing/receiving effort against the Falcons, Thomas showed what he does best time and time again. Watching him run after catching a screen pass is a thing of beauty. Dragging defenders as he pushes forward for a first down? There was plenty of that, too. Picking up a blitz to save Drew Brees? Yep.

Plain and simple, Thomas is the ultimate utility guy. He’s not flashy, but he’s a grinder. Maybe that’s why he doesn’t get the attention he deserves. Thomas is probably the most underrated player in the NFL, but I bet he’s just fine with that.

He’ll just keep doing what needs to be done to keep the Saints offense humming along.